Improvement in oyster-dredges



En L (die if Jn/z2, is cz/slri'edyes No. 121,249. Patented Nov. 28,1871.

PATENT OFFICE,

EZRA B. LAKE, OF MAURICETOWN, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN OVSTER-DREDGES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 121,249, dated November 28, 1871.

To all whom it muy concern:

Beit known that I, EZRA B. LAKE, of Mauricetown, in the county of Cumberland and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain Improvement in Dredging-Machines, of which the following is a specification:

My invention consists of certain mechanism, fully described. hereafter, whereby oyster-dredges can be drawn to and on board the boat by machinery; the object is to save labor.

Figure lis a side view of my invention. Fig. 2 is a top view.

A is a boat. B are two beams, one end of which is fastened to boat A at pin R and the other to the main shaft of the paddle-wheel D, thus connecting the whole improvement to the boat A. C is a stationary beam for the purpose of disconnecting the pulleys E from the paddlewheel D when the dredge should catch fast. D is a paddle-wheel. It is to be let down into the water so as to be carried around by the force of the water as it comes out from under the boat. E are two pulleys with side langes so as to hold the dredge-line N. F are two levers connected with the two pulleys E so as to connect and disconnect the pulleys E to and from paddle-wheel D. G is a lever to raise and lower the paddle-wheel D out and in the water. H is a lever to press against the paddle-wheel D so as to regulate its speed. I is a dotted line to show the position of paddle-wheel D when out of the water and when pulleys E are free from paddle-wheel D. J is a dotted line to show the position of lever 'H when pressing against paddlewheel D. K is a guidepulley to the line N. Lis the main pulley, which must be substantially connected to the boat A. M is a roller. N is the dredge-line. O is a wedgeshaped enlargement on the outer end of beam C for the purpose of disconnecting the pulleys E from paddle-wheel D when the dredge should catch fast, so the pulleys E would be at liberty to let off the dredge-line N without damage. P is a projection on beam C for the stopping of paddle-wheel D on rising out of the water. R is a pin that connects and fastens the improve ment to the boat A. S is a clutch on pulleys E and paddle-wheel D, so when pulleys E are pressed to paddle wheel D by lever F these clutches will carry pulleys E with paddle-wheel D, and thus winding dredge-line N on pulleys E, drawing' dredge-line N through pulleys K and L and over roller M until dredge has been brought on deck of the boat A. Instead of paddle-wheel D I can use the screw-wheel.

I claim as my invention- The combination of beams B and C, paddlewheel D, levers Gr, F, and H with pulleys E, K, and L, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.

EZRA B. LAKE.

Witnesses RICHARD H. RoBBrNs, URrAH LoRE. (143) 

